When I arrived in Bath, my first adventure started with a taco. Pretty on brand for England, right? 😉
I know this isn’t the Jane Austen intro you were expecting for my travelogue, and it’s definitely not Bridgerton (but a girl can dream). Within seconds of entering the taco shop, I met a woman who had recently moved to Bath from the U.S. We were two newcomers with a spontaneous connection. No Pinterest board and no “must-see” list. Instead, it was that small conversation in the taco shop that sparked my version of wayfinding (related: sometimes the best travel tips come with a side of salsa).
Wayfinding is (Literally) the Way Forward
This taco-loving expat told me there are footpaths (walking trails) traversing farmland, castles, and storybook villages all over England. Better yet, there’s signage that takes you to all areas of the countryside without needing a car…or a clue!
I saw this up close and personal while playing golf on a course in Bath. Mid-swing, I stopped short to let a woman and her dogs pass on what was also a public footpath. In England, a footpath doesn’t let a little thing like a game of golf get in the way. You kind of just…walk through! Wayfinding communicates a hearty welcome to visitors in a community. It helps people get their bearings and feel comfortable in a new place.
Create a Warm Welcome for Wanderers
That’s when it clicked. Bath is a community that wants you to participate, not merely observe. Signage and smiles truly make a difference.
Bath reminds me of Frederick in many ways. The size, hospitality, proximity to big cities (only a 1.5-hour train ride to London), and pride in its sense of place. That early sense of belonging I felt in the taco shop came from such a small moment, but it stayed with me. What if we took 30 seconds to ask where someone is from or if they need guidance? What if we leaned into what makes our spaces feel special, not only for residents, but for the wanderers passing through? These stories are my souvenirs. Visitors to your community would feel the same way.
Consider a Collaborative Tourism Pass
In the U.K., the National Trust Explorer Pass is an affordable, nationally marketed card that gives visitors access to castles, museums, gardens, and everything in between. Purchasing the card gave me an opportunity to sightsee, and a moment to say “yes” to places I didn’t even know existed. I know what you’re thinking: in the U.K., the National Trust is a well-funded nonprofit that drives heritage and conservation efforts throughout the country. However, collaborating on a shared heritage or tourism pass is something that many communities and businesses could do with success here in the U.S.
Bath locals have access to a Resident Discovery Card that offers free or discounted admission to local sites. It’s a reminder that exploration isn’t limited to tourists, and with the right invitation, your community can be inspired to experience something new.
Lean into Shoulder Season Tourism
I believe any destination can be glorious year-round, beyond its typical “peak-season” persona. People all over the world travel on different calendars, so why not embrace that? Some of the best travel memories are made when destinations offer creative and thoughtful programming during winter or transitional seasons.
A place like Bath doesn’t let history stay in the past. It evolves alongside food trucks, walking tours, and street performers–even on a cold, rainy day (because England). It’s a reminder that places can be creative, dynamic, and honor their roots at the same time. It redefines what a destination can be–innovative, vibrant, and alive year-round.
We don’t need to cross an ocean to create these experiences. What if our communities borrowed a page from Bath’s playbook? What if we created our own version of footpaths that connected neighborhoods, developed affordable passes that unlock local gems, and—here’s the radical part—talked to strangers in taco shops? We’ve got the ingredients: incredible landscapes, rich histories, and communities bursting with pride. We need to package it with the same “come as you are, belong right here” energy that makes places like Bath so magnetic. Trust me, the wanderers are out there waiting; they need us to roll out the welcome mat!
How do you make visitors feel like they belong in your community? Drop me a line!
